WHAT ARE ILM AND IRFĀN?
THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN ĀLIM AND ĀRIF...
The Quran states that the value that will enable it to be properly understood is "ilm" (knowledge).
The Quran contains words derived from the root of "ilm"(knowledge) approximately 850 times. Over 400 of these are verbs. The word "ilm" itself appears around 110 times. This shows that knowledge is considered an active value by the Quran. Of the more than 200 uses of nouns, over 200 refer to names or attributes of Allah.
As used in the Quran, the word "ilm" (knowledge) can refer to scientific knowledge, rational knowledge, empirical knowledge, or revealed knowledge, depending on the context.
"Knowledge is the understanding of something in its true essence, and this happens in two ways:
1. Knowing the essence of a thing—its true identity.
2. Judging its existence or non-existence.
"There are two ways of judging:
Firstly, judging something based on the existence of what it is meant to be.
Secondly, judging based on the non-existence of what there is evidence against it."
In contrast to ilm, ʿirfān denotes knowing a thing through its traces, signs, and indications, by reflection (tafakkur) and contemplation (tadabbur). That Allah is said to be known through maʿrifah (ʿirfān) rather than through ʿilm points to the fact that human beings can only know Him by reflecting upon His acts and effects.
Human beings cannot know Allah in His essence; otherwise, such knowledge would be called ʿilm. It is instead termed ʿirfān, because ʿirfān is used for deficient or limited knowledge (al-ʿilm al-qāṣir). Precisely because deficient knowledge is called ʿirfān, the People of the Book denied the Quran and the Prophet Muḥammad despite recognizing them. In Qur’an 2:89, their state of deficient knowing is expressed not with a word from the root ʿilm but from the root ʿirfān.
And when there came to them a Book from Allah confirming that which was with them - although before they used to pray for victory against those who disbelieved - but [then] when there came to them that which they recognized(‘arafu), they disbelieved in it; so the curse of Allah will be upon the disbelievers.
Their knowledge was a deficient knowledge, and indeed this deficiency did not save them from disbelief.
Correcting a Major Distortion
This information, given for the purpose of comparing ʿilm (knowledge) and ʿirfān (experiential / intuitive knowledge - gnosis), reveals another great truth, or rather, helps us correct a great misconception:
The Sufi–tarīqa tradition has long emphasized that ʿirfān is superior to ʿilm, claiming that God is known through ʿirfān but not through ʿilm. Accordingly, they speak of maʿrifat Allāh rather than ʿilm Allāh, and call their masters ʿārif, not ʿālim, presenting this as a mark of superiority.
The truth is exactly the opposite.
The use of ʿirfān rather than ʿilm in relation to knowing God is not due to the insufficiency of knowledge, as the Sufi tradition claims, but due to the insufficiency of ʿirfān. Since ʿilm means “knowing a thing in its true reality,” it cannot be used for knowing God, whose true essence cannot be comprehended. Therefore, when speaking of knowing God, the Qur’anic discourse prefers ʿirfān, which denotes deficient knowledge.
Thus, the superiority belongs not to ʿirfān but to ʿilm. Consequently, calling ṭarīqa leaders ʿārif does not place them above scholars; rather, it places them behind scholars. Attempts to elevate the title ʿārif above ʿālim are rhetorical maneuvers that contradict the Quranic reality.
Those Who Truly Fear God Are the Possessors of Knowledge
And among people and moving creatures and grazing livestock are various colors similarly. Only those fear Allah, from among His servants, who have knowledge((al-ʿulamāʾ). Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Forgiving.
The claim that the ʿārif is superior to the ʿālim also elevates so-called inspired or esoteric knowledge above knowledge. Yet expressions such as “ilhamic(inspired) knowledge” or “esoteric knowledge” are non-Qur’anic. The Qur’an does not recognize any form of knowledge detached from ʿilm.
Indeed, the Qur’an clearly states that the hearts of those devoid of knowledge are sealed:
Thus does Allah seal the hearts of those who do not know.
Given this situation, how and where can 'inspired knowledge' or 'knowledge obtained through the eye of the heart' be acquired? Is it possible for a sealed heart to produce inspiration and wisdom?
ʿIlm as the Exclusive Attribute of Allah
The Quran uses only words derived from the root of "ilm" to express Allah's power of knowledge, and not a single word from the root of "irfan". This shows that the scholar is superior to the gnostic in terms of closeness to God and knowledge. Among Allah's names and attributes, there are four names/attributes derived from the root of "ilm": Alim, Alim, Allam, and A'lem . The first two of these attributes appear dozens of times: Alim 162 times, A'lem 49 times, Alim 20 times, and Allam 4 times.
Prophets and Knowledge
Although Prophet Joseph knew the interpretation of events, he presented himself as someone endowed with a superior capacity for knowledge, a scholar (alîm); he did not portray himself as a mystic, an inspired person, etc.
[Joseph] said, "Appoint me over the storehouses of the land. Indeed, I will be a knowing(ʿalīmun) guardian."
The ability given to Joseph to interpret events is presented not as a miracle or supernatural ability, as some Sufi tradition claims, but as a completely intellectual capacity.
And the one from Egypt who bought him said to his wife, "Make his residence comfortable. Perhaps he will benefit us, or we will adopt him as a son." And thus, We established Joseph in the land that We might teach him the interpretation of events.(li-nuʿallimahu taʾwīl al-aḥādīth) And Allah is predominant over His affair, but most of the people do not know.
The word used to describe this education (linu'allimehu) is also derived from the root word "ilm" (knowledge ). In all the verses that speak of Joseph's ability to see the background of events, nouns and attributes derived from the root word "ilm" are used.
The verses that speak of the person who taught Moses certain special knowledge also consistently use words derived from the root of the word "knowledge."
Then they found one of Our slaves, unto whom We had bestowed mercy from Us, and whom We had taught knowledge from Us.
In other words, the Quran does not accept any intuitions, or inspirations that are devoid of knowledge or have no connection to it. The principle is extremely clear and very strictly stated.
Two things are given to the prophets: the power of judgment(hukm) and knowledge(ilm).
And when Joseph reached maturity, We gave him judgment and knowledge. And thus We reward the doers of good.
And when he attained his full strength and was [mentally] mature, We bestowed upon him judgement and knowledge. And thus do We reward the doers of good.
And We had certainly given to David and Solomon knowledge, and they said, "Praise [is due] to Allah, who has favored us over many of His believing servants."
And to Lot We gave judgement and knowledge, and We saved him from the city that was committing wicked deeds. Indeed, they were a people of evil, defiantly disobedient.
This characteristic is not applicable to only a few prophets. To prevent such a claim from being made, the Surah Al-Anbiya states:
And We gave understanding of the case to Solomon, and to each [of them] We gave judgement and knowledge. And We subjected the mountains to exalt [Us], along with David and [also] the birds. And We were doing [that].
That is why even the last of the prophets, Muhammad, was commanded to pray as follows:
So high [above all] is Allah, the Sovereign, the Truth. And, [O Muhammad], do not hasten with [recitation of] the Qur'an before its revelation is completed to you, and say, "My Lord, increase me in knowledge."
One of the miraculous revolutions of the Quran is this: even revelation, which is a supernatural and scientific reality, is described as 'knowledge' from the moment it descends to earth, thus drawing attention to the fact that those who wish to benefit from it can only do so through knowledge. The Quran expresses this truth as follows:
Never will the Jews nor the Christians be pleased with you till you follow their religion. Say: "Verily, the Guidance of Allah that is the (only) Guidance. And if you were to follow their (Jews and Christians) desires after what you have received of Knowledge (i.e. the Quran), then you would have against Allah neither any Wali (protector or guardian) nor any helper.
And even if you were to bring to the people of the Scripture all the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they would not follow your Qiblah (prayer direction), nor are you going to follow their Qiblah (prayer direction). And they will not follow each other's Qiblah (prayer direction). Verily, if you follow their desires after that which you have received of knowledge (from Allah), then indeed you will be one of the Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers, etc.).
Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam.
Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except, out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, then surely, Allah is Swift in calling to account.
Then whoever disputes with you concerning him (Jesus) after knowledge that has come to you, being a slave of Allah, and say: "Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves - then we pray and invoke the Curse of Allah upon those who lie."
And thus have We sent it (the Quran) down to be a judgement of authority in Arabic. Were you to follow their (vain) desires after the knowledge which has come to you, then you will not have any Wali (protector) or defender against Allah.
Prophethood also carries the meaning of 'breadth and superiority in knowledge'.
And their Prophet (Samuel) said to them, "Indeed Allah has appointed Talut (Saul) as a king over you." They said, "How can he be a king over us when we are better fitted than him for the kingdom, and he has not been given enough wealth." He said: "Verily, Allah has chosen him above you and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and physique. And Allah grants His Kingdom to whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower."
Understanding the verses brought through the prophets is likewise the share of those firmly grounded in knowledge. Comprehending the mutashābih (ambiguous, multi-layered) verses—which constitute a large portion of the Qur’an—is a right and responsibility granted jointly to Allah and those deeply rooted in knowledge:
It is He who has sent down to you, [O Muhammad], the Book; in it are verses [that are] precise - they are the foundation of the Book - and others unspecific. As for those in whose hearts is deviation [from truth], they will follow that of it which is unspecific, seeking discord and seeking an interpretation [suitable to them]. And no one knows its [true] interpretation except Allah. But those firm in knowledge say, "We believe in it. All [of it] is from our Lord." And no one will be reminded except those of understanding.
Allah presents Himself, the angels, and those endowed with knowledge as proof and witnesses to His existence.
Allah bears witness that La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels, and those having knowledge; maintaining His creation in Justice. La ilah illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
In interpersonal relationships and disputes, two witnesses are deemed trustworthy: Allah and those who possess knowledge.
The faithless say, ‘You have not been sent [by Allah].’ Say, ‘Allah suffices as a witness between me and you, and he who possesses the knowledge of the Book.’
Following Without Knowledge
Because knowledge is light and guidance in both matter and spirit, we should not pursue anything about which we do not possess knowledge.
And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned.
Pursuing something you lack knowledge of is, first and foremost, surrendering to incompetence, which brings disaster in all fields, from agriculture to industry, philosophy to economics, art to religion.
The greatest destruction resulting from pursuing something we lack knowledge of manifests itself in the realm of religion. A manifestation of this destruction is the obsession with imitation in religion. Verses stating that polytheists referred to their ancestors as the measure of truth are, within the style of the Quran, an indirect definition of imitation. Instead of researching and acquiring knowledge, ignorance and submission to imitation are sanctified through polytheistic pronouncements like, "The scholars said this, our masters commanded this, our ancestors practiced this..." and this misery has continued for centuries.
For Allah's command to entrust the following responsibilities to those who are worthy to become a tangible reality, all endeavors must be undertaken by those who possess knowledge.
Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.
ʿIlm and Shirk as Opposites
According to the Quran, one of the greatest contrasts is between knowledge and polytheism.
In other words, it's a conflict between hostility to reason and the deification of tradition. The representatives of revelation and reason, in their final words to the polytheists who represented tradition and irrationality, said the following:
Say, [O Muhammad], "Have you considered that which you invoke besides Allah? Show me what they have created of the earth; or did they have partnership in the heavens? Bring me a scripture before this or a trace of knowledge, if you should be truthful."
Eight mates: two of sheep, and two of goats. Say, ‘Is it the two males that He has forbidden or the two females, or what is contained in the wombs of the two females? Inform me with knowledge, should you be truthful.’
But the children of polytheism said to the representatives of revelation:
And when it is said to them: "Come to what Allah has revealed and unto the Messenger."
They say: "Enough for us is that which we found our fathers following," even though their fathers had no knowledge whatsoever and no guidance.
The verses of the three books mentioned in the Quran—namely, the books of the universe, the Quran, and humanity—and the evaluation of the knowledge gained from reading these books is also a task for scholars. In other words, acquiring wisdom and evaluating acquired wisdom is also a matter of knowledge. Even here, the Qur’an does not say ʿārif, but rather possessors of knowledge:
And these similitudes We put forward for mankind, but none will understand them except those who have knowledge.
The verse uses both the terms "intellectual reasoning" (taakkul) and "knowledge" (ilim). This emphasizes that the act of reasoning can only be performed by those who are knowledgeable. In other words, for a group to be considered an intellectually capable group, it must be an educated and knowledgeable group.
The Qur’an Is Founded Entirely Upon Knowledge
The Quran bases all its information and classifications on knowledge:
Certainly, We have brought to them a Book (the Quran) which We have explained in detail with knowledge, - a guidance and a mercy to a people who believe.
Allah Himself testifies that what was revealed to Muhammad was revealed with knowledge .
But Allah bears witness to that which He has sent down (the Quran) unto you (O Muhammad SAW), He has sent it down with His Knowledge, and the angels bear witness. And Allah is All-Sufficient as a Witness.
The Quran states that understanding it is a blessing bestowed upon those who possess knowledge.
3.A Book whereof the Verses are explained in detail; A Quran in Arabic for people who know.
4.Giving glad tidings, and warning, but most of them turn away, so they listen not.
Guidance (Irshād) Is Also Founded on Knowledge
The spiritual guidance of the prophets is also an ability based on knowledge. There is not even a hint that the "wise type" that some Sufi circles, who portray knowledge as a "satanic faculty," use to describe someone capable of spiritual guidance. On the contrary, it is commanded that one should never, ever follow the path of those who lack knowledge.
[Allah] said, "Your supplication has been answered." So remain on a right course and follow not the way of those who do not know(truth)."
The true path that will lead you to Allah is the path of the Quran; the path guided by the Quran. Other paths lead to ruin. The paths that ignorance leads people down, keeping them away from the Quran, separate them from Allah's path and bring about fragmentation. In verses 151 and 152 below, ten fundamental principles are mentioned, followed by a statement that this is the true path, that is, the path revealed in the Quran.
151.Say: "Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents; kill not your children because of poverty - We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not near to Al-Fawahish (shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse, etc.) whether committed openly or secretly, and kill not anyone whom Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause. This He has commanded you that you may understand.
152."And come not near to the orphan's property, except to improve it, until he (or she) attains the age of full strength; and give full measure and full weight with justice. We burden not any person, but that which he can bear. And whenever you give your word (i.e. judge between men or give evidence, etc.), say the truth even if a near relative is concerned, and fulfill the Covenant of Allah, This He commands you, that you may remember.
153."And verily, this (i.e. Allah's Commandments mentioned in the above two Verses 151 and 152) is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious)."
Those who are devoid of knowledge will only call upon fleeting desires and whims (empty and endless desires).
Then We have put you on a plain way of commandment. So follow you that, and follow not the desires of those who know not.
Desire(Hawā) and whims represent impulses and subjective perspectives. The path to objective values and truth is through knowledge. All values outside of knowledge, including ʿirfān(wisdom) and faith((īmān), cannot escape subjectivity.
The Quran Attributes No Evil to Knowledge, but It Does Attribute Evil to Faith (Īmān)
The Quran, with another miraculous approach, attributes no evil or ugliness to knowledge, but it does attribute it to faith. While criticizing the deviations of the Jews, it gives humanity a magnificent lesson with its enigmatic style and emphasizes that faith can be used as a tool for wickedness:
And when We took your covenant and We raised above you the Mount, "Hold firmly to what We have given you and hear (Our Word). They said, "We have heard and disobeyed." And their hearts absorbed (the worship of) the calf because of their disbelief. Say: "Worst indeed is that which your faith enjoins on you if you are believers."
There are two words in the verse to which ugliness is attributed: faith and believer.
It cannot be argued that: "The faith to which ugliness is attributed is the faith of the Jews, and the believer is a Jewish believer. This criticism is limited to them and does not concern others." Such an argument contradicts both the spirit and the letter of the Quran. The Quran is primarily a miracle of words. Therefore, the words chosen when attributing evil contain a message in themselves. Many corrupt individuals have emerged, and will emerge, from among scholars; but the Quran has never attributed ugliness and evil to knowledge itself.
The Quran does not attribute evil to knowledge, but it does attribute ugliness and evil to faith. This is because knowledge is objective; or rather, objectivity is a prerequisite for us to speak of knowledge.
The objectivity of faith is not upheld. Subjectivity is fundamental to faith. This phenomenon can give rise to very positive meanings as well as very negative ones. Subjectivity means the realm of the ego(nafs). One generally does not seek good in things where the ego is involved. And one should not pursue things where no good is to be found.
Since the fear of Allah (the word "yahsha" in the following verse refers to a state of fear tinged with respect and love) is based on knowledge, no one can claim that some people devoid of knowledge are men of Allah.
And among people and moving creatures and grazing livestock are various colors similarly. Only those fear Allah, from among His servants, who have knowledge. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Forgiving.
All these claims are contingent upon possessing a solid foundation of knowledge. Without that prerequisite, everything else is mere deception and fraud.
This is why giving religious guidance without knowledge is one of the issues that the Quran condemns.
Do you not see that Allah has made subject to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth and amply bestowed upon you His favors, [both] apparent and unapparent? But of the people is he who disputes about Allah without knowledge or guidance or an enlightening Book [from Him].
One of the dangerous aspects of guidance without knowledge is misleading people by "buying lehve'l-hadîs (empty talk)." In other words, ignorance is also behind buying empty talk.
And of the people is he who buys the amusement of speech to mislead [others] from the way of Allah without knowledge and who takes it in ridicule. Those will have a humiliating punishment.
SHIRK AND BLASPHEMY ARE A DISEASE OF LACK OF KNOWLEDGE.
Those who oppose the revelation of the Quran base their arguments on the beliefs of their ancestors, that is, what tradition has instilled in them. The Quran's thesis on this point is as follows: To adopt the beliefs and practices of one's ancestors, one must seek confirmation from reason and science. Otherwise, those beliefs are rejected.
And when it is said to them, "Come to what Allah has revealed and to the Messenger,"
they say, "Sufficient for us is that upon which we found our fathers."
Even though their fathers knew nothing, nor were they guided?
The Quran insists that those who oppose it have no basis in knowledge. Their only reliance is on their own conjecture.
Rather, they have denied that which they encompass not in knowledge and whose interpretation has not yet come to them. Thus did those before them deny. Then observe how was the end of the wrongdoers.
And they said: "If it had been the Will of the Most Beneficent (Allah), we should not have worshipped them (false deities)." They have no knowledge whatsoever of that. They do nothing but lie!
And they say: "There is nothing but our life of this world, we die and we live and nothing destroys us except Ad-Dahr (the time). And they have no knowledge of it, they only conjecture.
And they have thereof no knowledge. They follow not except assumption, and indeed, assumption avails not against the truth at all.
Till, when they come, He will say: "Did you deny My Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) when you comprehended them not in knowledge, or what (else) was it that you used to do?"
Yet, they join the jinns as partners in worship with Allah, though He has created them (the jinns), and they attribute falsely without knowledge sons and daughters to Him. Be He Glorified and Exalted above (all) that they attribute to Him.
The polytheists' blasphemy against Allah is also a reflection of their lack of knowledge.
And insult not those whom they (disbelievers) worship besides Allah, lest they insult Allah wrongfully without knowledge. Thus We have made fair-seeming to each people its own doings; then to their Lord is their return and He shall then inform them of all that they used to do.
119. Why should you not eat of that over which the name of Allah has been mentioned? He has certainly made clear to you what He has forbidden, except in cases where you are compelled to do so.
Indeed, many mislead others by following their own desires out of ignorance. Surely your Lord is All-Knowing of those who transgress.
The practices of polytheism, such as burying female infants alive, are nothing more than deviations stemming from ignorance.
Indeed lost are they who have killed their children, from folly, without knowledge, and have forbidden that which Allah has provided for them, inventing a lie against Allah. They have indeed gone astray and were not guided.
THE ONLY VALUE THAT POLYTHEISM CANNOT STOLE IS KNOWLEDGE...
Knowledge cannot be acquired through coercion or deception. No other value, wealth, or power possesses such a quality. The Almighty Creator has bestowed this quality, this characteristic, this distinction solely upon knowledge. Therefore, knowledge has become His second attribute. The Sunni tradition identifies the first of Allah's essential attributes as ' life ' and the second as ' knowledge ,' which is very accurate and meaningful in expressing the importance the Quran places on knowledge.
Life is based on knowledge. Just as there can be no knowledge without life, there can be no life without knowledge. The Quran shows that the word "Rab" (Lord) was used as an adjective by certain individuals who were considered "untouchable," most notably Pharaoh, who was deified.
Thus, the attribute of "Lord" is one of the attributes of God that has been usurped by polytheism and despotism. However, we cannot witness any despot, any idol, or any tyrant being referred to as "knowledgeable." Life has not allowed this.
It appears that the Quran stipulates that the attribute of knowledge cannot be usurped, and that it can only be used by those who deserve it, and it structures its regulations accordingly. Almost every attribute of Allah has been usurped by shirk, the institution that claims partnership with Him. The only exception is the attribute of knowledge. Because, unlike wealth, possessions, and power, usurpation is not possible in knowledge. You either deserve the power and prestige that knowledge brings, or you are deprived of it.
For example, Allah's attribute of "Wali" (guardian/protector ), just like His attribute of "Rab" (Lord), has been usurped by polytheism. The Quran itself is full of complaints about these "guardians created by polytheistic usurpation." It is the Quran itself that uses the terms "Satan's guardians" and "false gods' guardians."
O my father, indeed I fear that there will touch you a punishment from the Most Merciful so you would be to Satan a companion [in Hellfire]."
A group He has guided, and a group deserved to be in error; (because) surely they took the Shayatin (devils) as Auliya' (protectors and helpers) besides Allah, and consider that they are guided.
Allah is the Wali (Protector or Guardian) of those who believe. He brings them out from darkness into light. But as for those who disbelieve, their Auliya (supporters and helpers) are Taghut [false deities and false leaders, etc.], they bring them out from light into darkness. Those are the dwellers of the Fire, and they will abide therein forever.
For example, some hypocritical and cunning disbelievers, who effectively fall into the category of disbelievers in Surah Al-Maun by usurping public property and rights, have been able to be applauded as "heroes of mercy" within the "society of charity" they created, by distributing a small portion of the stolen goods to various people. What they have done is a usurpation of God's attributes of Rahim (Merciful) and Rahman ( Compassionate) .
1. Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense?
2. For that is the one who drives away the orphan.
3. And does not encourage the feeding of the poor.
4. So woe to those who pray.
5. [But] who are heedless of their prayer
6. Those who make show [of their deeds].
7. And withhold [simple] assistance.
All those false "benefactors" who consume forbidden things on the one hand and deceive the people in the name of God on the other are vile individuals who have usurped God's attributes of generosity and forgiving, such as Rahman, Rahim, Latif, Karim, Jawad, and Wahhab. Therefore, they are all polytheists in some way.
It is necessary to re-evaluate, in light of these realities, the masses who are deceived by the clergy, rabbis, imams, and sheikhs who mislead in the name of God, and the masses who are oppressed by kings, sultans, emperors, lords, masters, and tyrants who produce despotism and oppression, as well as those who deceive them.
You will not find any of these usurpers to possess any knowledge. In other words, usurpation and oppression are the product of ignorance.
In conclusion, the Quran attributes no evil to knowledge, but it does attribute evil to faith.
Knowledge is the only value that evil and wickedness cannot tarnish.
Let's not confuse the fact that those who possess knowledge can become corrupted with this reality.
The issue there is the human being, not science itself.